Page 46 of Dr. Baby Daddy

“I know. The last thing I want to do is feel like I’m taking advantage of his kindness.” I groan and bury my face in the pillow.

This entire situation has my mind reeling.

I want to be with Oliver more than I’ve ever wanted any man, but I don’t know if we’re ever going to get to a point where I feel comfortable telling him that.

This weekend away is going to be good for us. There isn’t going to be any work we have to deal with. We’re going to get to sit back and just enjoy being together. There will be time to talk about something other than work for both of us.

I lower the pillow and tilt my head back against the cushions. “It’s going to be nice to get away with him. Even if this is happening fast.”

Kate squeezes my hand. “It might be fast, but maybe that’s the way things are meant to happen. Just relax and go with the flow, Izzy. Stop worrying about what every little interaction means or doesn’t mean, and just have a good time.”

“I’m going to. I need to shop for some bikinis later, by the way — his parents’ house has a pool.”

Kate squeals and turns off the television, jumping up and grabbing her wallet. “I know exactly which store we have to go to. It’s a bit of a long subway ride, but they have thebestbikinis.”

I grab my purse and sling it over my shoulder, trying to push my worries to the side.

This is a new relationship and Kate is right. I do need to relax and go with the flow.

Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to, even if that’s hard to believe right now.

CHAPTER 21

OLIVER

Victor looks up as I walk into the locker room, eyebrows arching as he finishes tying his shoe. “I didn’t expect to see you today. I figured you might take a few days off, what with not being on call this coming weekend.”

I shrug and open my locker, tossing my wallet and keys inside. My pair of orthopedic shoes is waiting for me as I kick off my other ones. “Nah. I didn’t want to take too much time off.”

“I think you’re the only person in the world who misses dealing with tragedy on a daily basis.”

“The fast pace is what keeps me coming back.” I sit down on the bench and lace up my shoes. “There’s no way that I could spend every single day sitting in a cubicle and listening to someone gripe at me for things out of my control.”

“You would much rather come to a hospital and cut people open for a living.” Victor stands and stretches. “It’s going to be a long shift today. Tori said that man who comes in looking for drugs is back. He won’t leave.”

I groan and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I thought he was doing well in rehab? When I called the other week, they said he should be ready to move into substance-free housing soon.”

“Looks like everything’s changed. You know there’s only so much we can do. I’ll get on the phone with the rehab and try to get him back there if you want to take the rest of the emergency room.”

“Sounds good to me. I could use some excitement.”

Victor chuckles and pulls on his coat. “Oh yeah? How are things with Izzy?”

“All good. We had a chilled day together yesterday. She still had to go to rehearsal, though, so I sat in on that.”

“How’s the show coming?”

“Pretty good. Izzy is amazing. She’s done new arrangements for most of the songs, so it’s been a long process, but it’s got her even more excited for opening night. I’ve been helping her practice a couple of them.”

Victor’s eyes widen. “You’re playing again? That’s a new development.”

“Just with Izzy.” I shrug and drape my stethoscope around my neck. “It’s nothing major. She just needs to see how the songs are going to sound with other instruments.”

He sighs as his pager starts beeping. “Looks like our friend is roaming the halls. I better go. Have fun handling the emergency room.”

I nod and stand up, making sure that my badges are still attached to my shirt pocket. After pulling on my white coat, Ihead out into the emergency room. Victor heads the other way, stopping the first person he sees to ask if they’ve seen his patient.

People rush around the emergency room as I grab the patient folders and flip through them. Nothing too difficult today. Most of the patients here right now will be able to be handled by the residents.

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